Mayor admits swearing at public during council meetings

Shellharbour Mayor David Hamilton has admitted at a public inquiry into Shellharbour council that he interrupts other speakers and swears at members of the public during council meetings, but says the problems on council relate to his colleagues.

Councillor Hamilton told the public inquiry if he had a disagreement he tended to stress his point.

He said he bawled out the general manager on a few occasions and he raised his voice at council meetings.

He said he kept interrupting the public if they were disrespectful, because the public assumed they could say whatever they wanted.

Cr Hamilton said Cr Geoff Rose could be bullying and aggressive, but denied Cr Rose's remarks that the same applied to himself.

When asked if there had been an irretrievable breakdown on council, Cr Hamilton said there were a couple of councillors who caused havoc but they had learned a lot over the past four years.

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